Dereal/Depersonal
 

Hi all, I was just curious if anyone experienced chronic or high levels or derealization and/or depersonalization after a head injury? I've pretty much had the both of them since my concussion. I was getting it concussed with brain fog but have now pretty much pin pointed my symptoms as dereal/depersonalization. It's a very scary feeling and I haven't felt like this ever. This is one of my only symptoms left.

Regards,
Mike

Depersonalization can be quite scary. I had it for quite a while. Depression/anxiety from a head injury can also cause this

There are a lot of ways to relieve depersonalization:

1) Seek help if you feel you are depressed or anxious. Psychiratist and therapist are usually the way to go.

2)Keep yourself busy. Concussion activities such as art, or listening to nature sounds is great, I found that yoga helped me relax and it became a lifetime regimen for me!

3)Sleep. Sleep helps restore the brain back to its normal state. Rest really does help.

Why does depersonalization happen:

Depersonalization happens because of the brain shutting itself down to protect itself. This is usually caused by stress, any kind of stress, including traumatic stress.

The Good News:
Depersonalization is not forever and neither are concussions most of the time. If you believe you can get better, you will get better.

Hope this helps!

Thank you very much for the support, I will take your advice.

Regards,
Mike

I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury in December 2012, I was dropped from 10 ft onto concrete cheerleading. I got a concussion along with it, and a 8 inch skull fracture, thank God I'm even alive or walking. In the beginning I got better, then around may, I started experiencing severe depersonalization, it was as if I didnt know myself, and I felt like i was in such a fog, i had that all summer, and still now, but 4 days ago I started feeling SEVERE derealization, its like im not even here, im trapped in my mind, or a dream. I wonder if Im in a coma at times, Its a really scary feeling, I just wish it would end. So yes I have felt high levels of both :(

I'm so sorry to hear that Tori. You may want to start another thread to introduce yourself and post some other symptoms along with this one to see if someone can help you manage them.

I feel as if I experienced the same thing in my first months of PCS. I woke up everyday and felt s if I had to wind myself up to get out of bed. I felt so out of my body that often I didnt think it was "real life." My friends said I walked and talked the same, but I wasnt me. I also had never felt like this as I have always been an active, happy, and fun-loving girl until my injury.

Once I took a step back and let myself heal, I noticed major changes. I still experience not feeling like myself sometimes, but not nearly as severe. Instead I feel as if I want the old me back rather than feeling as if I am stuck in a bad dream that I cannot wake up from. I know now this is a long and slow recovery process, but it does get better. I have gained aspects of my life back and I focus on those positives to recconnect with myself.

Find new activities that you love that make you feel yourself that wont set back your recovery. For me, instead of going out to the bars with my friends, I have taken up cooking to distract myself and make myself feel useful. This has helped me get back in touch with myself and find new ways to make myself feel valueable and ga back old pieces of myself.

I have experienced both of these, but they did not last. I'm hoping they don't return. However, they seemed to evolve into depression and anxiety, both of which I'm currently dealing with.